In this Edition Health & Safety
Around Woodlands
Global Education
WAPA
A Note from Principal Dear Woodlands Families,
It is a busy time for our students academically. AP exams are well underway and next week we shall begin assessments. I am so proud of our students and their resiliency this year in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Through all of it, the school has remained committed to providing a robust, holistic education with a continued emphasis on cultivating a life-long love of learning.
I am inspired by Mother Janet Erskine Stuart's quote: "Cultivate the wish to learn, rather than the wish to be taught."
Indeed, our students truly wish to learn. Each of them is an active participant in her learning. She is in the driver's seat with her teachers gently providing navigation and words of encouragement when the road gets bumpy. Assessment week is merely the opportunity to prove she knows the route. If she gets a bit turned around, that's ok too!
Assessments can bring up feelings of stress. Encourage your daughter to take deep breaths, get good sleep and eat well.
As our year winds to a close, I wish to express my gratitude for the year's lessons learned. We learned of the flexibility and resiliency of our community. We learned more deeply about our educators' commitment to each student's success, and we learned that being together in community can transcend physical spaces.
Sincerely, Rocco Gargiulo Principal Looking Ahead Next Week
Upcoming
Health & Safety Health Update We are asking for some information from our families regarding student COVID-19 vaccines. If your daughter has received her vaccine or is waiting for the second vaccine, please let us know so we can have that information on file. This will greatly assist us if contact tracing is necessary. The vaccine name and date/dates of administration can be sent to cgrasenick@woodlandsacademy.org . Thank you for helping us in keeping our school community healthy and safe and to those who have already submitted this information. Life as a QuaranTEEN May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there are many opportunities for families to learn more about mental health matters. As part of their speaker series, Family Action Network will host a virtual youth-centered conversation, "Life as a QuaranTEEN: Youth Mental Health Post-Pandemic," with youth leaders and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour. Lisa Damour, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Laurel School's Center for Research on Girls and the author of the New York Times bestselling books Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood and Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls.
The evening's discussion will address mental health concerns of adolescents, strategies for supporting teens, and tips for building resilience. This free event is on May 25, 2021, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Learn more and register for this educational event! Please contact Dr. Kincaid if you would like additional information on the Family Action Network .
Around Woodlands Academic Information May is a busy month at Woodlands Academy and many important events take place both before and after the assessment (final exam) week. Please be sure to consult the web calendar for specific information pertaining to the events. Important details concerning the assessment week and a few of the events are listed below. Assessments (administered during scheduled class periods) Monday 5/17 - Period 6 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Period 4 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Tuesday 5/18 - Period 1 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Period 2 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Wednesday 5/19 - Period 3 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Period 5 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Thursday 5/20 - Period 7 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Period 8 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Friday 5/21 – Grading Day – No Classes Students may depart the traditional objective tests after 80 minutes (i.e. essay, multiple choice, short answer, etc.). Students having a different type of assessment (i.e. oral presentation, project, etc.) may have the full 2 hours for class. Assessment Attendance & FYI - All domestic students must be on campus for Assessment Week (no remote option) - Students may depart campus between assessments and need only be on campus when an assessment is given - Students may purchase lunch as usual through Handcut Foods - Quiet study spaces will be available - AP classes & Orchestra will not meet during assessment week - Seniors earning a 93% or higher may be exempt from certain course final exams - Students may wear casual clothing to their assessments - Students must take their assessments during the scheduled times - On Assessment days, May 17-May 20, train riders will be picked-up at the station at 7:35 am (Monday only) and 8:35 am (Monday through Thursday), and the van will depart Woodlands at 3:15 pm daily for the station - In early June, parents will receive an e-blast alerting them that the 2nd semester grades have been released in My Backpack Global Odyssey (GO), Honors Assembly & Graduation Information Monday 05/24 – Thursday 5/27 Global Odyssey (GO) Classes – Casual Days (Daily train station pick up 8:35 am, depart for station at 3:15pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and at 2:15 pm on Wednesday)
Friday 5/28 & Monday 5/31 - Memorial Day Holiday – School Closed
Tuesday 6/1 – Global Voices Day– 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Train riders will be picked-up at the station at 8:35am, and the van will depart Woodlands at 3:15 pm. There will be a mandatory graduation practice for seniors from 3-4 pm.
Wednesday 6/2 – Honors Assembly & Madeleine Sophie Barat Prayer Service - A required day of attendance for seniors. 10:00 am Seniors in caps & gowns for Honors Assembly in chapel; Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors are encouraged to view from home or sign up to view the service from the student dining room. (no shuttle service on this day)
Thursday 6/3 - Senior Graduation at 3:00 pm. Graduates arrive by 1:30 pm. Dive Into Math This Summer Woodlands is pleased to offer a remote math classes this summer taught by our very own Ms. Pomije!
Geometry Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and dig into geometry at a fast clip? This class will cover a chapter a day. Dates: June 7th- July 1st Monday-Thursday: Remote and on Microsoft Teams Friday: Online assessment day on their own. Students may take the assessments on Thursday after class if they choose. Time: 8:00 am - Noon Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 am - 8:00 am Cost: $600 Registration: Email Ms. Pomije International Languages Congratulations to several Spanish and Latin students who attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2021 National Spanish Examinations and 2021 National Latin Exam.
In Spanish, Honorable Mentions were earned by Hailey Ross (Level 2), Karen Diaz (Level 3, Bilingual category), and Lucy Saucedo (Level 5, Bilingual). Janel Ivy (Level 2) was awarded the bronze award, and Karishma Bhatara (Level 2), Scarlett Montalvo (Level 3) and Alex Arreci (Level 3, Bilingual) earned silver awards.
In Latin, Cum Laude honors were earned by Anne Kelly (Intermediate II). Natalia Kozic (Intermediate II) and Pascale Ricketts (Intermediate Reading Comp. I) were awarded Magna Cum Laude. Silver medal, Maxima Cum Laude awards were earned by Clara Bartusiak (Intermediate Reading Comp. I), Berkeley Borkert (Intermediate Reading Comp. I), Anna Bruhn (Intro) and Colleen Sarver (Intermediate Reading Comp. II). Residence Life Adventures Final departure forms are due Wednesday May 19. Forms and move out week details were emailed to parents/guardians earlier this month. Completed forms and questions can be sent to boardingstaff@woodlandsacademy.org
Earlier this week some of the boarding students visited the farmyard at Lambs Farm. They enjoyed petting and feeding a variety of animals including some very cute goats and also had the opportunity to play some mini golf.
Around Woodlands Global Education Summer Intensive Course: Ethics in International Relations Eligibility: Students who are entering grades 10, 11, or 12 can earn one semester of religious studies or social studies credit. Dates: June 21-24 (M-Th); June 28-July 1 (M-Th); July 6-9 (T-F) Time: The class meeting times will be dependent upon the location of students who enroll. Asynchronous time on Fridays and about four hours a week of homework. Class time will include conferencing, group work, all class discussions, seminars, writing assignments and beyond. Breaks are also included in class time.
Early Bird Fee: $500 per student if enrolled by June 1. Regular Fee: $600 if enrolled after June 1.
Course Description: The study of international relations has largely focused on state power and interests. Nevertheless, when social and political choices are made, global actors invoke ethics, that is, their value systems, normative language, and notions of morality in their decision-making and interactions. Through the examination of readings around international relations theory, political philosophy, international law, and social justice, this course aims to analyze the role of norms and ethics in the conduct of international affairs. We will take up ethical dilemmas in international affairs in relation to issues of human rights, just and unjust wars, global security, humanitarian intervention, poverty and development, environmental protection, and global governance. Essential questions include: Is ethical action possible given the presence of national interests and power politics? Can international acts and institutions be evaluated in ethical terms? And if so, in what ways? As a culminating project for the course, students are expected to write a research paper on an approved topic related to any of the issues discussed and present their findings to the class.
WAPA In case you missed it, we have extended our sale through the end of the school year. Quantities may be limited, so shop early. There are some great graduation gifts to choose from, such as plush blankets for your daughter's dorm room, robes and other gift items. It's not too late to show school spirit for your spring sport or update your spirit wear wardrobe now during the Spring Sale. Click here to order. Please contact Sharon Rettino P'22 with any questions. CongĂ© Part Deux We have just received a spring surprise from past parent Jeff McClusky—an internship with Nelarusky! (See details below.) Please consider making a gift to Woodlands in your daughter's name as a thank you for this wonderful opportunity from the McClusky family.
Jeff McClusky & Associates and Lauren McClusky are, once again, proud to offer the abbreviated version of our summer internship to work inside the music industry, as well as on a very important, high-profile after-show event for Lollapalooza. As you may not know, Lollapalooza 2021 will be happening at Grant Park this summer. It will probably be the second or third major event announcement for this summer in Chicago and will be announced this week. In the meantime, the student(s) have the one or two-week opportunity to work at JMA and see what it's like to market recording artists in today's world. They will come to understand what it took to launch artists like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Post Malone and many others – ask any of the former interns and they will tell you! Additionally, they will get hands-on experience with the Nelarsuky event. This is Lauren's annual event that she started while she was a student at Woodlands. This year will be her 15th year (it's actually 14th and 15th combined, as it didn't happen last year) and the date is Tuesday, July 27th at the Metro Chicago. Students will have the opportunity to join previous young men and women, including Sofia Kubicek, Caitlin Sarver, Emma Parkinson, Sarah and Jack LaVanway, Hannah McCaleb, Tatum and Lizzie Denton, Gina Carfagno, Maddie Guy, Lauren McClusky and many other superstars, who have experienced the fun of putting together a music event, but also doing something special for the athletes of Special Olympics. For more information, contact Jeff McClusky at jmcclusky@jmapromo.com. WAPA Volunteers for 2021-2022 During the current school year, most volunteer opportunities were either cancelled or looked much different than in the past. We are looking forward to a great year of possibilities to get together and to plan some great events! Please look for WAPA communication in your mailbox very soon. In the meantime, if you want to reach out NOW to volunteer, please contact Alison Bartusiak, WAPA President 2021-22, or Sarah Hindman. Class Parents Please let us know if you would like to serve another year as a Class Parent, or if you prefer to do something different next year. Welcome Picnic Volunteers We are looking for a couple of families to organize the Welcome Picnic in August. Also, we are in need of some GRILL MASTERS! Please let us know if you can help! Email Sarah Hindman.
The way to do much in a short time is to love much. People will do great things if they are stirred with enthusiasm and love. -Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ |